I am loving my new 50mm f/1.4 lens. It makes everyone look good. Having it, though, makes me miss film cameras. I wish I had the time and money to make film photographs again.

I’ve been thinking an awful lot about my photo habits. Am I an amateur photographer? I always feel silly when I say that. Plus it implies that I haven’t been trained, though in reality I have several years of classes under my belt. Have I ever sold a photograph? No. Have I had some published? Yes. Hobbyist? Is that the word? Also feels cheesy to me.

Does anyone have any better ideas?

In the artist’s words: “For this series, my goal was to feature the animals outside of their environments and capture a moment that will last as long as the viewer needs to absorb their charms.”

I mean, come on. Consider me completely absorbed by their charms.

You can buy them pretending like you’re going to decorate your future (or current) baby’s room and then really just hang them up for you to see. WHAT BABY? Who cares about baby people. BABY ANIMALS, guys. Choose between two bear cubs, two baby monkeys, a WHITE TIGER CUB!!!!!!!!!!,  a lamb, and a piglet. Or buy them all! Tragically the baby giraffe is sold out on 20×200 (which is an awesome website, by the way, check it out if you haven’t already) BUT I know how to use a search engine and found Montrose‘s own digital shop with different giraffe prints for sale! And many more prints!

Excuse me, but I have to go look at every single picture on that site right now.

Left to Right: Self-Portrait, Meyer Lemons, California Sunset, Kitchen Vignette

And in case you are a digital photography purist, I’ll post some DSLR photos later this week.

MISCELLANEOUS – Clockwise from top left:

Herschel Supply Co. Parcel Suitcase – $199 – Travel in style. Anyone have one of these? Is it functional/durable?

Harlex Personalized Camera Neck Strap – $80 – Hint, hint: I would simply love to have one of these with my new initials!

My gorgeous studded leather wallet from Galeries Lafayette in Paris.

J. Crew Cashmere-Lined Leather Gloves – $69.99 on sale!

FOOTWEAR – Clockwise from top left:

Bloch Fonteyn Ballet Flat – $115 – Very little beats a black ballet flat, in my book. I wear mine (a Topshop knockoff) several times a week.

Stacy Adams Madison Boot – $170 – Alex was searching for a dress boot for almost a year when I finally found this one. He ordered these within a few days of my discovery (which is absolutely groundbreaking for him) and loves them.

Rachel Comey Penpal Boot – $398 – Is it fate that Steven Alan only carries these in my size?? Is it meant to be? Will they ever go on sale?

L.L. Bean 8″ Bean Boot – $89 – Simply classic.

BAGS – Clockwise from top left:

Opelle Large Ballet Bag – $272

Harlex Leather Pouch Bag – $225 – I think this might start appearing in my dreams. Extra beautiful.

Baggu Pouch M – $40

Ona Brooklyn Camera Bag – $309 – This one I got for Christmas, but it’s back ordered!! Can’t wait ’til it arrives.

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P.S. People keep telling me they check my blog all the time, and I apologize for the many-month absence. Another semester is beginning and I know it’ll be insane, but I will do my best to update more. Note: If you comment, I know you’re reading! Which urges me to post more!! And let me know how you like the site-makeover!

Three mornings a week I’m in a classroom at the Mills College lab school with 2 and a half to 3 and a half year olds. I’m in five early education classes, and I audit one dance class (which, I swear, is solely responsible for maintaining my sanity). When I’m not actually in the classroom or in my own classes, you might find me in the library with my nose in any number of books or articles, or clacking away at at one paper or another. I try to sit outside in the sunshine to do my reading as much as possible. The Mills campus is really quite beautiful, and I try to take advantage of the warm California sun as much as possible. On weekends we try to do fun things. We started out using Zipcar all the time, but since decided that freedom and flexibility would be worth the extra pennies to buy a car.

Our new chariot! Gene Carmesan (of course) is a 2010 Toyota Corolla. He’s a champ. So far, with the help of Zipcars, public transit, and Gene, we’ve explored Alcatraz, Muir Woods, the Bear Republic, Russian River, and Lagunitas breweries, Joaquin Miller Park. Gene also took us into San Francisco for a great James Blake concert (not quite as good as the US debut in Williamsburg, have to say…).

My sister, bless her heart, carried Harry on a cross country flight. She’s got the battle wounds to show for it, to be sure. Harry is now comfortable, which means he’s back to being a jerk most of the time. He has his moments:

One of the highlights of my summer (aside from getting married and moving across the country, of course), was receiving Jasmin Ortiz’s fantastic photographs from our June 30 Brooklyn Municipal Building wedding and neighborhood bar festivities. The shot below is just a sneak preview. More will be posted at Emily. Alex. Wedding(s). very soon.

With that, a catch-up post, I will leave you for now – hopefully for not quite so long this time. Have a wonderful weekend!!!